Chapter 47 (Part 2) — When Intentions Collide
Lunch Break Begins (Neutral Ground)
Lunch break had already swallowed the school whole.
The cafeteria was alive in the way only a school lunch hour could be—voices overlapping, chairs scraping against the floor, trays clattering, laughter bursting out at random intervals. The air smelled like warm food, sugar, and noise. Everywhere Haruya looked, there were people moving, talking, living loudly.
And right in the middle of all that chaos, he sat down.
Haruya sat at a long cafeteria table, his tray placed neatly in front of him, posture relaxed as usual. To anyone watching from afar, it looked normal—almost peaceful. Saeko sat on his left. Reina sat on his right. Three students sharing a table during lunch. Nothing strange about that.
And yet… something was very wrong.
Saeko wasn't talking.
Reina wasn't talking either.
That alone was strange.
Saeko usually filled silences with soft comments, little questions, gentle reactions. Reina, on the other hand, tended to dominate conversations when she felt like it, or at least throw in sharp remarks. But today, both of them were quiet. Not awkward-quiet. Not bored-quiet.
Focused-quiet.
Saeko kept her hands close to her lap, shoulders slightly tense. She stared at her tray longer than necessary, poking at her food without really eating. Every few seconds, her fingers twitched, as if remembering something hidden somewhere—something important.
Reina sat straighter, back firm against the chair. Her expression was calm, composed, unreadable. But her eyes flicked sideways far too often—toward Saeko, then toward Haruya, then away again. She ate normally, but too precisely, as if each bite had been calculated in advance.
Haruya noticed.
Of course he did.
At first, he thought maybe they were tired. First day back after holidays. That happened. People took time to adjust. He lifted his chopsticks, ate a bite, and tried to start a conversation.
"So… classes feel different after the break, huh?"
Saeko flinched slightly.
"Y-Yeah… a little," she replied too quickly, then fell silent again.
Reina nodded once. "Mm."
That was it.
Haruya paused, chopsticks hovering in the air for a second before he slowly lowered them. He glanced left. Then right.
Something's off.
He didn't know what. He hadn't done anything wrong. At least, he didn't think so. But the atmosphere around him felt tight, like the air before rain. Heavy, invisible pressure pressing down despite all the noise around them.
What made it worse was that they weren't the only ones in the cafeteria.
All around them, eyes kept drifting their way.
Some girls stared openly, barely hiding it. Others whispered behind hands or leaned close to their friends, murmuring excitedly.
"Is that him…?" "He looks even better in person." "I saved his modeling photos. My gallery is full." "He's sitting between two girls again… lucky them."
Haruya felt it—those casual stares, that soft buzz of attention. He was used to it by now. Being a boy in this world already drew eyes. Being that boy, the one people talked about, only made it worse. Normally, he ignored it.
But today, those stares felt sharper.
Because Saeko noticed them.
And Reina definitely noticed them.
Saeko's shoulders drew in slightly every time she heard whispering nearby. Reina's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly when a group of girls laughed too loudly in their direction. Neither said anything. Neither reacted openly.
They just stayed close.
Too close.
Haruya suddenly became very aware of his position—sitting right between them, like the center of some invisible line being pulled tighter and tighter from both sides. He swallowed and forced a small smile, trying again.
"Um… the cafeteria's louder than usual, huh?"
Saeko nodded quickly. "I-It is…"
Reina hummed. "Seems normal to me."
Again, silence followed.
Haruya sighed inwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. Okay… definitely something is going on. But whatever it was, neither of them looked ready to talk about it. Pushing would only make it worse.
So he stayed quiet too.
Three trays. Three students. Surrounded by hundreds of voices.
On the surface, it was just another lunch break.
Underneath, something was coiling—slowly, patiently—waiting for the moment to snap.
And even though Haruya couldn't name it yet, his instincts told him one thing very clearly:
This lunch isn't going to end normally.
Saeko POV (The Waiting Is Worse Than Acting)
Saeko's heart wouldn't calm down.
No matter how much she tried to focus on the food in front of her, no matter how many times she told herself to breathe, her chest felt tight, like something was sitting right on top of it. Her fingers rested on her lap, curled slightly, brushing against the strap of her bag again… and again… and again.
It's there.
She knew it was there.
Inside her bag, wrapped carefully, hidden beneath her books and lunch pouch, was the charm. The one she had spent days thinking about. The one she had customized quietly, late at night, telling herself it was "just a small thing" while her heart betrayed her every time she imagined giving it to him.
She had planned this.
She really had.
Today. I'll give it to him at lunch.
That was what she'd told herself this morning. That was what she'd repeated while getting dressed, while walking to school, while sitting in class pretending to take notes. Every step had been part of the plan.
And now that the moment was here…
She was terrified.
Her eyes flickered toward Haruya without meaning to. He was eating calmly, like always. Polite posture. Gentle movements. Not rushed, not careless. He didn't look stressed. He didn't look aware of anything unusual at all.
How can he be so calm…? she thought.
It amazed her. And scared her.
Because while her heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst, he was just… there. Existing. Being kind without trying. Being special without realizing it.
He really doesn't know, she thought.
He doesn't know how dangerous he is…
Dangerous—not in a bad way. Dangerous to hearts like hers.
Her fingers tightened on her bag strap.
What if I'm too late?
The thought hit her suddenly, sharp and unpleasant.
Her gaze slid—slowly, cautiously—to the other side.
Reina.
Reina sat there looking composed, confident, eating like this was just another normal lunch. But Saeko noticed things others wouldn't. The way Reina's posture was straighter than usual. The way her eyes flicked toward Haruya a fraction too often. The way her expression tightened whenever someone nearby whispered.
She's hiding something…
Saeko swallowed.
What if she's planning the same thing?
The idea made her stomach twist.
What if she already gave him something earlier? What if she's waiting for a better moment? What if I hesitate… and lose my chance?
Her thoughts spiraled.
Is lunch even the right time?
What if people stare?
What if someone takes photos?
What if Haru thinks I'm weird for giving him a gift out of nowhere?
What if he misunderstands?
What if he smiles politely but doesn't really like it?
Her face felt warm.
No—hot.
She could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks just imagining it. Imagining his reaction. Imagining his gentle voice saying her name. Imagining him holding the charm in his hand.
Stop. Stop thinking, she scolded herself silently.
But she couldn't stop watching him.
The way he picked up his chopsticks. The way he chewed thoughtfully. The way his expression softened when he listened to people. Even now, even when something clearly felt off, he looked concerned—not annoyed, not impatient.
He's too kind, she thought.
Too gentle.
Her chest tightened again.
If someone like him existed in my life earlier… would I have been braver?
She pressed her lips together.
This wasn't about courage anymore. It was about regret.
If she didn't act now, she knew herself well enough to know what would happen. She would go home, replay everything in her head, blame herself, and promise "next time." And next time would become never.
Her fingers slipped inside her bag for just a second, brushing against the small wrapped object.
The charm.
Her heart skipped.
I'll do it today.
The thought came quietly—but firmly.
No matter what.
Even if her voice shook.
Even if Reina was watching.
Even if people stared.
She lifted her eyes again, this time not toward Reina, but toward Haruya's face.
Please… don't laugh.
Please… don't think I'm strange.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure it could be heard.
The waiting hurt more than acting ever could.
And Saeko knew—deep down—that if she didn't move soon, this moment would swallow her whole.
Reina POV (Calculation and Control)
Reina noticed it almost immediately.
She didn't need obvious signs. She didn't need Saeko to say anything or make a move. It was in the small things—the way Saeko's shoulders were slightly stiff, the way her hand kept drifting toward her bag, the way her gaze kept darting between Haruya and the table like she was waiting for a signal that only she could see.
So… you prepared something too.
Reina's eyes narrowed just a fraction before she consciously smoothed her expression.
She didn't panic.
Panic was useless.
What she felt instead was something sharper—alertness.
Her mind shifted gears instantly, like it always did when something important was at stake. This wasn't an emotional reaction. This was strategy. Timing. Positioning. Control.
I knew it, she thought calmly.
There's no way Saeko would come empty-handed today.
Her fingers curled slightly under the table, brushing against her pocket.
The gift was there.
Hidden. Secure. Easy to access if needed.
She had planned this carefully. She hadn't rushed. She hadn't acted on impulse. She had chosen something subtle—something that wouldn't draw attention, something that could be given quietly. Something that wouldn't put Haruya in an awkward position.
Unlike Saeko, who looked like she might combust from nervous energy alone.
Reina kept her posture relaxed, back straight, expression neutral. Anyone watching would think she was completely at ease.
Inside, however, her thoughts moved fast.
Timing matters.
Public vs private matters.
If I move too early, it looks desperate.
If I move too late, I lose initiative.
She glanced sideways—just once.
Saeko was staring at her tray, clearly not even tasting the food. Her knee bounced slightly under the table.
Reina almost scoffed.
You're readable, she thought.
Too readable.
But she didn't underestimate her.
Saeko wasn't stupid. She was just emotional. And emotions could be dangerous when mixed with resolve.
She's going to act, Reina realized.
Soon.
The question was whether Reina would let her.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the wrapped charm in her pocket.
Should I wait?
Should I act first?
A small, competitive spark flared in her chest.
No.
Reina didn't rush blindly—but she also didn't retreat.
She refused to look flustered. Refused to show tension. Outward calm was her weapon. If Saeko wanted to jump off a cliff emotionally, Reina would wait at the bottom with a net—or a blade.
I won't lose ground, she told herself firmly.
This wasn't about beating Saeko.
This was about protecting what she considered hers.
She straightened slightly and took another bite of her food, chewing slowly, deliberately.
If Saeko moves…
Her gaze flicked briefly to Haruya's profile.
I respond.
No hesitation. No retreat.
Reina was ready.
---
Haruya POV (Clueless)
Something was… off.
Haruya couldn't explain it properly, but he could feel it.
The cafeteria was loud as usual—voices overlapping, chairs scraping, trays clattering—but the space right around him felt oddly tense. Heavy, like the air had thickened without warning.
He glanced to his left.
Saeko was quiet.
Not her normal quiet, but the kind that came with too much thinking. She wasn't fidgeting openly, but her movements were stiff, careful, like she was afraid of knocking something over.
He glanced to his right.
Reina was calm.
Too calm.
She looked composed, confident, exactly as usual—but there was something sharp behind it. Like she was watching something unfold and waiting for the exact right moment to intervene.
Haruya frowned slightly.
Did I… do something?
He replayed the morning in his head.
He'd greeted them normally. He hadn't said anything strange. He hadn't teased anyone. He hadn't even talked much at all.
Still, both of them were acting… strange.
To ease the atmosphere, he tried speaking casually.
"So… how were your classes this morning?"
Saeko jumped slightly.
"O-Oh! Um—fine! Normal! Very normal!" she said too quickly, then immediately looked down, mortified.
Reina responded a second later.
"Nothing unusual," she said smoothly. "Same routine."
The contrast only made things worse.
Haruya laughed softly, trying to keep things light.
"That's good, I guess."
Silence followed.
Not an awkward silence—more like a waiting silence.
Haruya shifted in his seat.
A faint pressure settled in his chest. It wasn't fear. It wasn't anger.
It was guilt.
Why do I feel like I'm responsible…?
He hadn't asked for anything. He hadn't demanded attention. And yet, somehow, it felt like both girls were carrying something heavy—and he was standing right in the middle of it.
Did I make them uncomfortable without realizing?
The thought bothered him.
He hated the idea of hurting people unintentionally.
He opened his mouth to say something else, then stopped.
Pushing might make it worse.
So instead, he smiled gently and focused on his food, pretending nothing was wrong. His kindness was instinctive—an attempt to keep everyone comfortable.
Unknowingly, it only added fuel to the fire.
Saeko's heart raced faster at his smile.
Reina's resolve hardened.
And Haruya sat between them, completely unaware that he had become the eye of a growing storm.
Saeko Makes the First Move
Saeko couldn't take it anymore.
The waiting was worse than anything she had imagined. Worse than rejection. Worse than embarrassment. Worse than the possibility of things going wrong.
Because doing nothing meant drowning in her own thoughts.
Her fingers curled tightly around the edge of her chair. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure Haruya could hear it. The charm inside her bag felt heavier with every passing second, like it was pulling her down.
If I don't do it now… I never will.
Before her courage could evaporate, Saeko pushed her chair back and stood up.
The sudden movement caught Haruya's attention immediately.
"Saeko?" he asked, blinking in mild surprise.
Reina's eyes narrowed.
The cafeteria noise seemed to dull in Saeko's ears. Conversations blurred into static. All she could hear was her own breathing—fast, uneven, nervous.
"I—um—H-Haru-kun," she began, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "I, uh… this is… it's nothing big, really…"
She reached into her bag.
Her hands shook.
She pulled out the small charm, wrapped neatly but simply. It was nothing flashy. Just something she had spent far too many nights thinking about. Choosing. Rechoosing.
"I made this," she said quickly, words tumbling out. "Not—n-not made, exactly, but… I picked it. I thought it might suit you. If you don't like it, that's fine, really, I just—"
She stopped herself before she spiraled further.
Saeko held the charm out with both hands, head slightly bowed.
She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
Her face burned.
The moment stretched.
Haruya stared at the charm, then at Saeko, clearly startled—but not in a bad way. His expression softened almost instantly.
"Oh," he said gently. "For me?"
Saeko nodded, stiffly.
"…Yes."
Haruya took it carefully, like it was something fragile.
"Thank you," he said, sincerity clear in his voice. "I really appreciate it."
No hesitation. No awkward pause. No confusion.
Just kindness.
Saeko's face turned a deep, brilliant red.
Relief flooded her chest so suddenly it almost made her dizzy.
I did it.
For half a second, she felt light. Weightless. Proud.
Then—
A chair scraped back.
---
Reina Responds Immediately
Reina stood.
No hesitation.
No rush.
She rose smoothly from her seat, posture straight, expression composed—like this had been planned all along.
Saeko's relief shattered.
Haruya turned, eyes widening.
"Reina…?"
Reina reached into her pocket and pulled out her gift.
Smaller. Simpler. No wrapping. Clean. Direct.
She didn't explain.
She didn't smile.
She didn't hesitate.
She simply held it out.
"Here," she said. "For you."
The air froze.
Haruya looked between the two of them—Saeko still standing, flushed and trembling, Reina steady and calm, both offering something meant only for him.
His brain stalled.
"…Eh?"
He accepted Reina's gift automatically, hands full now, expression caught somewhere between shock and confusion.
"T-Thank you," he said honestly, because that was who he was. "Both of you."
The cafeteria noise seemed to crash back in all at once—and then vanish again.
Saeko and Reina locked eyes.
No words.
No raised voices.
Just smiles.
Polite. Tight. Dangerous.
---
Silent War
Saeko—
She copied me.
The thought struck like a knife.
She waited.
She knew.
She let me go first on purpose.
Saeko's hands trembled at her sides as she forced her smile to stay in place.
She always does this.
She always looks calm.
She always acts like she's in control.
Her chest burned.
I finally worked up the courage… and she steals the moment.
She told herself she was overthinking.
She knew she wasn't.
She's always one step ahead.
Reina—
She forced my hand.
Reina's smile didn't falter, but her jaw tightened slightly.
She cornered me.
Public place. No escape.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
Her fingers curled slowly.
If I waited even a second longer, I would've lost.
She met Saeko's gaze evenly.
You're not as innocent as you look.
Saeko—
She thinks she won.
Saeko's heart pounded.
She thinks she outplayed me.
She clenched her fists inside her sleeves.
I won't lose.
Not this time.
Reina—
This isn't over.
Reina exhaled slowly.
This was just the opening move.
Between them, Haruya stood frozen, holding both gifts, completely overwhelmed.
The pressure in the air spiked.
He laughed awkwardly, trying to defuse something he didn't understand.
"U-Um… thank you. Really. I'll treasure them."
Both girls turned to him at the same time.
Both smiled.
Both blushed.
Both thought the same thing.
He's too kind.
And neither of them was willing to back down.
The war had begun—without a single word spoken.
Haruya Tries to Fix the Situation
Haruya could feel it.
That invisible pressure in the air.
The kind that made even breathing feel slightly awkward.
He stood there holding both gifts, looking at Saeko and Reina, sensing that something had gone… strangely wrong, even though nothing looked wrong.
He scratched his cheek lightly, then smiled.
"Um… really," he said, voice gentle and sincere, "thank you. Both of you."
The words weren't rushed. They weren't said to escape the moment. They came from the heart.
"I mean it," he continued. "You didn't have to do this for me. I'm really happy."
He lifted Saeko's charm slightly, examining it with honest admiration.
"This is really thoughtful. I like things like this. I'll keep it with me."
Saeko's breath hitched.
Her face turned red all over again, right up to the tips of her ears.
"T-That's… I'm glad," she murmured, eyes darting away. He likes it… he really likes it…
Then Haruya turned to Reina.
"And this too," he said warmly. "It suits me. I don't know how you knew, but… thank you."
Reina stiffened for half a second—then looked away sharply, pretending to adjust her sleeve.
"…Don't overthink it," she muttered. "It's just a gift."
But her ears betrayed her.
Bright red.
Haruya smiled again, a little sheepishly.
"I'll treasure both," he said. "I promise."
Something eased.
Not completely—but enough.
The sharp edge of the tension dulled into something manageable. The rivalry didn't disappear, but it paused, like two blades held inches apart instead of clashing.
Saeko relaxed slightly.
Reina exhaled slowly.
For now, peace.
---
Akari POV (Observer in the Shadows)
From a distance, partially hidden by the edge of a corridor, Akari Hoshizuki watched.
She didn't move.
She didn't blink.
Her eyes followed Haruya as he stood between the two girls, holding their gifts. She saw the way Saeko leaned slightly toward him without realizing it. The way Reina positioned herself just half a step closer than necessary.
She noticed everything.
Akari's lips curved upward—slowly, quietly.
"So that's how close they are," she whispered to herself.
Her smile wasn't angry.
Not yet.
It was thoughtful.
Measured.
Her fingers pressed lightly against the strap of her bag as she observed the subtle rivalry unfolding right in front of her.
Two protectors.
Two competitors.
Both desperate to stand beside him.
Jealousy slid into her chest like cold water.
Not explosive.
Not loud.
Deep.
Controlled.
"Interesting," she murmured softly.
Her gaze softened as it settled on Haruya's back.
They're close… but not close enough.
She turned away before anyone could notice her presence, already planning, already adjusting.
I just need the right moment.
And she would create it.
---
Lunch ended.
Chairs scraped against the floor. Conversations resumed. The cafeteria returned to its usual chaos.
Haruya walked ahead, carefully tucking both gifts away, still smiling to himself.
Behind him, Saeko and Reina followed in silence.
No words.
Just thoughts.
Saeko glanced at Haruya's back.
I won't lose.
Reina looked away, jaw set.
Next time, I won't hesitate.
And from far behind them, unseen, Akari watched the three figures move away together.
Comedy lingered on the surface.
But beneath it—
Something was shifting.
Something dangerous.
And none of them realized how close the storm really was.
— To be continued...
---- ----- -----
Author Note (Totally Serious… Not Really)
Haruya:
Author… why did you put me between these two girls?
In this world I already don't understand women, and now you expect me to survive Saeko and Reina at the same time?
This is reverse chastity world, not reverse mental pressure world 😭
I'm going to get crushed between two blades… literal emotional swords… ༎ຶ-༎ຶ
Author:
HAHAHAHA— calm down, Haru.
It's okay. I believe in you.
You can do this.
You will understand them.
Character development, you know? 😌✨
Haruya:
That's not character development, that's character endangerment 😭
Author, please help me—
Author:
Nope.
Go back.
Go back into your world.
Nothing will happen.
Absolutely nothing.
Trust me.
(ಠ◡ಠ)
Haruya:
…Aauuthorrrr.
Okay okay, jokes aside 😄
Dear readers, did you enjoy today's long chapter?
— king_fuzu